About FIRST

What is FIRST?

FIRST (For Inspiration
and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an organization that strives to
bring science and technology into the lives of youth across on a global scale.
There are four levels of FIRST robotics, FRC, FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades
7-12), FIRST Lego League (Grade 4-8), and FLL Jr. (Kindergarten- Grade
3). Our team participates in FRC competitions both in Canada and The
United States.

FIRST promotes friendly
competition amongst teams with values like 'gracious professionalism'
(Respectful and enthusiastic participation in competition) and 'coopertition'
(Co-operation amongst the teams), both words created by Woody Flowers.

FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) is the branch of FIRST for high school students. Teams build 120 lbs. robots in 6 weeks to compete in thrilling challenges. Team members get real-life, applicable experience with sophisticated technology as well as learn business and management skills. Participants are given the opportunity to work with professional engineers and learn to work with constraints, limited resources and a concrete time frame.

Regional tournaments are held at the end of the 6 week long build season and the top alliance as well as the winner of the chairmans award (The most prestigious award in FIRST presented to the most exemplary team to acknowledge them as a role model) move on to Worlds. The top teams from every regional attend Worlds (Waldo has gone six times) and compete against other teams from across the globe.